Container



E. C. BRUNO June 13, 1967 CONTAINER Filed June 6, 1966 INVENTQR. EDWARDC. BRUNO ATTORNEYS United States Patent C 3,324,993 CONTAINER Edward C.Bruno, 1880 S. Monaco, Denver, Colo. 80222 Filed June 6, 1966, Ser. No.555,482 11 Claims. (Cl. 206-1) This invention relates to a container andparticularly to a container which can be shipped and stored in compactlylpacked, kno-ck-down form and can be rapidly and conveniently assembledfrom storage as required to iill orders.

There isa need to expand the delightful custom of sending ilowers greatdistances as a means of showing ones appreciation or remembrance -foranother. In 4addition to llowers, fruits, nuts, candied fruits, fruitcakes, and the like, can also be sent in this manner. The material beingsent would be packaged locally, as in the case of owers, and deliveredto the person to whom they are sent by local merchants. The localmerchant would select choice merchandise, usually fancy quality from hisstock and package it in very attractive gift packages. Such giftpackages should involve the use of a container which can be shipped `andstored in com-pactly packed, knock-- down form and which can be rapidlyand -conveniently assembled in the desired sizes, as needed, fromstorage, preff erably without the use of elaborate `or special tools orthe need for persons with special skills. However, heretofore all giftpackages except for the package shown in my patent application Ser. No.375,102 (led June 15, 1964), have been disadvantageous either because ofthe high cost, often in excess of twenty percent of the retail price forthe container and its contents, or the unappealing and unattractiveappearance. It has been discovered, however, that a container extremelyattractive in appearance may be easily assembled from parts at a pointremote from the place where such parts are made and that the cost of theassembled container will be much less than the twenty percent of theretail price of the container and its contents. Part of this cost4reduction results from the fact that the vention are obtained byproviding a container comprising abowl-shaped base portion, said baseportion including' au upper annular portion having an outer surface theupper part of which has la substantially constant diameter, said baseportion having an inner, radially extending ledge portion, said lbaseportion having a 'bottom wall spaced below said ledge portion; aflexible, annular cylindrical portion, preferably formed fromtransparent material, 4having an inner `diameter substantially equal tothe outer diameter of the upper portion of said base portion, saidcylindrical portion being mounted upon said base portion by havin-g oneend thereof disposed in encompassing engagement about the upper portionof said base portion; a sheet mem` ber having a plurality `of openingsformed therethrough, s'aid sheet member having portions thereof mountedupon' and supported by said ledge portion; and means for securing saidbase portion relative to'said cylindrical portion to prevent inadvertentseparation thereof. Each base portion is designed such that one baseportion' will readily nest within a similar base portion to providecompact packaging thereof. The sheet member preferably has an openingformed through the center thereof and at least four uniformly, angularlydisplaced openings formed therethrough. The container in its preferredembodiment also includes atelescopablecap portion mounted upon the upperend of the cylindrical portion. The means for securing said base portionrelative to said cylindrical portion preferably includespressure-sensitive strips a por-l tion of each being attached to thelower part of said cylindr'ical portion and an outer surface portion ofsaid base portion.

A more detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention isgiven lbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded, vertical, cross-sectional view showing thevarious members of yone embodiment of the parts for the container may beshipped in a compact form of Ways long after the contents of thecontainer have been i Y' consumed.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide anyattractive container which can be shipped to a receiver in knock-downfo-rm for compact storage and eicierit assembly in individual units asrequired.

Another object of this invention is to provide components for aninexpensive, easily assembled, attractive transparent container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attractive,telescopable container.

Another object of this invention is'to provide an inexpensive attractivecontainer that can be assembled and used without the use of adhesivematerials.

Another object `of this invention is to provide an improved containerincluding a base portion that may be y readily used in a number of waysafter the contents of the container have been consumed.

Additional objects of this invention will become apparent from thefollowin-g description, which is given primarily for purposes ofillustration, and not limitation.

Briefly stated in general terms, the objects of this incontainerconstructed in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan viewtaken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; i

I' FIGURE 3 is an isometric view showing another embodiment of thecylindrical portion of the container;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the container in FIGURE 1assembled and packed with various items; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view'showing a plurality of baseportions in compactly stacked relationship. Referring now to thedrawings, in FIGURE 1 is shown an exploded sectional View of the variousmembers comprising a container constructed in accordance with thesubject invention. The container comprises a bowl-shaped portion 14, asheet member 16 having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, aflexible, preferably transparent, cylindrical portion 18, a telescopablecap portion 20 and pressure sensitive strips 22. The bowlshaped baseportion 14 includes an upper annular portion 24 which has an outersurface the upper part 26 of which has a substantially constantdiameter. Said base portion 14 also has an inner, radially extendingledge portion 28 and a vbottom wall 30 spaced below said ledge portion28.

The ilexible, annular cylindrical portion 18 is an openend cylinder inwhich the walls are made of sheet niaterial which is provided with avertical slit so that it overlaps to a suitable extent. The insidediameter of the cylindrical portion 18 preferably is made substantiallyequal to the outside diameter of the outer surface portion 26 of saidbase portionv14 so that the cylindrical portion 18 can be tted aroundlthe outer surface portion 26 in overlapping relationship and secured inposition by pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 22, such as cellophane tapesold under the trademark Scotch Brand Cellophaiie Tape'.

Patented June 13, 1967.'

Preferably, two or more strips of tape 22 are used. Cylindrical portion18 preferably is made from a clear or transparent sheet plastic materialsuch as cellulose acetate, methyl methacrylate, polyethylene, so thatthe items packed in the assembled container present an attractiveappearance from the outside of the container. For purposes of shipping,a plurality of cylindrical portions 18 are preferably compactly foldedand disposed within a like member. For instance, 11 of these members infolded form fit within and substantially iill a twelfth member withoutany damage occurring to any of the twelve.

The telescopable cap portion 20 includes a cylindrical side portion 32and a circular top portion 34. One or more holes 36 are preferablyformed through the circular top portion 34 to provide ventilation forthe items packaged in the assembled container and to preventcondensation of moisture on the inside walls of the container. Suchholes also serve the purpose of attaching decorative colored ribbon orbow (not shown) on the top of the container. The inside diameter of thecylindrical portion 32 of said cap 20 is substantially equal to theoutside diameter of the cylindrical portion 78 so that the cap or covermember 20 can be tightly fitted over the outside walls of thecylindrical portion 18 and in tight cont-act with the items packaged inthe assembled container, as shown in FIGURE 4. Cap portion 20 can beformed of the same material of which cylindrical side portion 32 is ofsutiicient length to permit telescoping thereof relative to the externalmating surface o'f cylindrical portion 18 to permit easily andconveniently packaging of a combination of objects of varying,non-uniform size and shape.

Referring again to the bowl-shaped portion 14, in FIG URES 1, 4 and 5the bowl-shaped portion 14 is shown as having the outer surface 38 ofthe lower part thereof as being truncately shaped. Likewise, the innersurface 40 of the lower part of said base portion is also truncatelyshaped. The base portion 14 also preferably includes a surface portion42 extending radially inwardly from the outer surface of the upper partof said base portion that has a substantially constant diameter.

It will be readily appreciated that the various parts or members of thecontainer of this invention can be cornpactly packed for shipment bystacking or intertting a plurality of like members. Thus, a group ofbase portions 14 is shown stacked in FIGURE 5. It will be appreciatedthat while a single .base portion 14 has an overall height of L, sixsuch members which are stacked in the manner vshown in FIGURE will havean overall height of less than 3L. Thus, a large number of base portions14 may be conveniently and easily compactly packed for shipping.

The sheet member 16 shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 4 is circular in shape andhas a plurality of openings 44 uniformly angularly displacedtherearound. Said sheet member 16 also preferably includes a centrallyformed opening 46. Although each opening 44 may be cylindrically shapedas is opening 46, it is preferred that the surface of each opening 44comprises the outer surface portion of a segmental part of an invertedcone, as shown. The purpose for forming the surface circumscribing e-achopening 44 in this manner is to present a larger contact area betweenthe sheet member 16 and the article 48 to be disposed in contactthereupon. Thus, through the use of this increased yarea of contact,there is less chance of bruising or marring the surface of article 48which, in many instances, is a piece of fruit. The purpose for centralopening 46 is to receive and hold a cylindrical shaped item 50 which maybe a bottle of fruit juice or the like.

In FIGURE 3 is shown an alternate cylindrical portion 52. Cylindricalportion 52 is substantially identical to cylindrical portion 18 exceptthat it is additionally provided with an internal band 54 or bead orboss or the like which preferably is substantially continuous isperipheral length and disposed to abut against surface portion 42 formedon said base portion 14. This arrangement provides convenient supportfor the band or boss portion 54 to permit a filled container to begrasped about the cylindrical portion 52 when raised or lifted withoutcausing separation between the cylindrical 4portion 52 and the baseportion 14. Suiicient interface friction exists between the contactingsurfaces of cylindrical portion 52 and the base portion 14 to preventthe cylindrical portion '52 from sliding downwardly relative to the baseportion 14.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a container constructed in accordance withthis invention is shown in the assembled condition and is filled with avariety of items such as spherically shaped articles 48 whichmaycomprise pieces of fruit, a ibottle 50 and pieces of candy or fruit 56.The cylindrical portion 18 is secured relative to the base portion 14 bypressure sensitive adhesive tape 22 as shown. As previously explained,the cylindrical portion 52 as shown in FIGURE 3 may be substituted forthe cylindrical portion 18 and the pressure sensitive tape 22 of FIGURE4.

From the above description, it will be readily 4apparent that aninexpensive, extremely attractive knock-down container has beendescribed. One preferred method of shipping a plurality of containers asdescribed herein involves the stacking of twelve base portions 14 incompact arrangement in the end of the shipping container or box, theplacement of twelve cylindrical portions 18 .in the central portion ofsaid box, the stacking of six groups of cap portions 20 in the other endof the box, each group including two cap members 13, and the stacking of12 sheet members 16 some of which will tit within one of the bowlportions 14 and the remaining of which may be conveniently packed in anumber of places such as within the cap portions 20. The overalldimension of a box containing parts for -twelve such units where thecylindrical portion 18 has a length of approximately 10 inches and adiameter of approximately 7 inches, is approximately 14% x 11% x 71746inches and has a gross weight of approximately 5 lbs.

Obviously, other modifications and variations of the container of thepresent invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. Forexample, it will be readily appreciated that the ledge portion 28 may beeither continuous or intermittent in peripheral extent. It is,therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

I claim:

1. A container comprising: a bowl-shaped base portion, said base portionincluding an upper annular portion having an outer surface the upperpart of which has a substantially constant diameter, said base portionhaving an inner, radially extending ledge portion, said base portionhaving a bottom wall spaced below said ledge portion; a flexible,annular cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equalto the outer diameter of the upper portion of said base portion, saidcylindrical i portion being mounted upon said base portion by having oneend thereof disposed in encompassing engagement about the upper portionof said base portion; a sheet member having a plurality of openingsformed therethrough, said sheet member having portions thereof` mountedupon and supported by said `ledge portion; and means for securing saidbase portion lrelative to said cylindrical portion to preventinadvertent separation thereof.

2. A container as described `in claim 1 in which at least the outersurface of the lower part of said base portion is truncately shaped andsaid cylindrical portion is formed of a transparent material.

3. A container as described in claim 1 in which said sheet member has anopening formed through the center thereof and at least four uniformly,angularly displaced openings formed therethrough, said four openingsbeing concentrically disposed about said centrally disposed opening.

4. A container as described in claim 1 in which said means for securingsaid base portion -relative to said cylindrical portion includespressure-sensitive strips a portion of each being attached to the lowerpart of said cylindrical portion and an outer surface portion of saidbase portion.

5. A container as described in claim 1 in which said means for securingsaid base portion relative to said cylindrical portion includes asurface portion extending radially inwardly from said base portionsouter surface of the upper part that has a substantially constantdiameter, and an inner radially extending surface portion formedadjacent the lower part of said cylindrical portion, said radiallyinwardly extending surface portion of `said base portion and said innerradially extending surface portion of said cylindrical portion beingdisposed in abutting engagement.

6. A container as described in claim 1 including a telescopable capportion mounted upon the other end of said cylindrical portion.

7. A container as described in claim 1 in which at least the outersurface of the lower part of said base portion is truncately shaped andsaid sheet member has an opening formed through the center thereof andat least four uniformly, angularly displaced openings formedtherethrough, said four openings being concent-rically disposed aboutsaid centrally disposed opening.

8. A container as described in claim 7 in which said means for securingsaid base portion relative to said cylindrical portion includespressure-sensitive strips a portion of each being attached to the lowerpart of said cylindrical portion and an outer surface portion of saidbase portion.

9. A container as described in claim 7 in which said means for securingsaid base portion relative to said cylindrical portion includes asurface portion extending radially inwardly from said base portons outersurface of the upper part that has a substantially constant diam. eter,and an inner radially inwardly extending surface portion formed adjacentthe lower part of said cylindrical portion, said radially inwardlyextending surface portion of said base portion and said inner radiallyextending sur.. face portion of said cylindrical portion being disposedin abutting engagement.

10. A container as described in claim 7 including a telescopable capportion mounted upon the other end of said cylindrical portion.

11. A container as described in claim 8 including a telescopable capportion mounted upon the other end of said cylindrical portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,521,184 9/1950 Paige 20G-45.35X 3,269,578 8/1966 Lewis 206-45.34 X

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING: A BOWL-SHAPED BASE PORTION, SAID BASE PORTIONINCLUDING AN UPPER ANNULAR PORTION HAVING AN OUTER SURFACE THE UPPERPART OF WHICH HAS A SUBSTANTIALY CONSTANT DIAMETER, SAID BASE PORTIONHAVING AN INNER, RADIALLY EXTENDING LEDGE PORTION, SAID BASE PORTIONHAVING A BOTTOM WALL SPACED BELOW SAID LEDGE PORTION; A FLEXIBLE,ANNULAR CYLINDRICAL PORTION HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUALTO THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BASE PORTION, SAIDCYLINDRICAL PORTION BEING MOUNTED UPON SAID BASE PORTION BY HAVING ONEEND THEREOF DISPOSED IN ENCOMPASSING ENGAGEMENT